Ecommerce Coffee Break – The Ecom Marketing & Sales Podcast

In this episode, we dive into how AI is changing e-commerce apps and online shopping.

Garry Egan, founder of Interlinks Development and 25-year software developer, shares why single-task apps are disappearing and how the best apps will become AI wrappers.

He reveals strategies for specialized workflows, why deep technical expertise matters for developers, and how AI alters the buyer journey.

InterLinks: For Shopify stores, automatically create internal links that increase conversions, boost click-through rates, and drive more page views. Get 500 FREE Extra Keyword Automations here: https://tinyurl.com/538jfhkn

Topics discussed in this episode:  
How AI changes e-commerce software usage.
What makes low-hanging single task apps obsolete.
Why store owners prefer GUI buttons over prompt lines.
How specialized apps evolve into AI wrappers.
What types of complex workflows survive AI.
Why high-risk compliance stores need custom tools.
How LLMs alter the product discovery journey.
What store owners need to know about AEO.
Why full-stack skills matter more for developers.
How expert developers build faster with AI tools.

Links & Resources 
Website: https://getinterlinks.com/
Shopify App Store: https://apps.shopify.com/interlinks
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryegan
Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/443tzjyy
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Our Sponsors 
Xero is cloud-based accounting software that helps small businesses, including ecommerce sellers and DTC brands - manage invoicing, cash flow, bank reconciliation, and reporting from one place, on any device. Get 90% off for 6 months. Learn more at https://referrals.xero.com/ecb - T&Cs apply.
Bizrate Insights: Star ratings tell you how customers feel. Bizrate Insights reveals what’s driving those ratings, helping ecommerce brands create smoother shopping journeys, inspire confident purchases, and build lasting loyalty. Turn verified shopper feedback into clear priorities and better customer experiences. Learn more at bizrateinsights.com/coffee 
______________________________________________________
LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS!
Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out!   
Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts   
Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/   
Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak   
Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/

In this episode, we explore what it takes to build a successful media business and run an online store for the long haul. 

Claus Lauter, founder and host of Ecommerce Coffee Break, shares how to avoid common e-commerce traps, find your true customer, and balance AI tools with real human connection. 

He also breaks down the reality of running a global business while living a location-independent lifestyle, including the daily trade-offs and keys to staying productive.

Topics discussed in this episode:  
How to build a successful e-commerce media business.
What causes e-commerce founders to fail early on.
Why knowing your exact target buyer is critical.
What replaced retention as the top industry topic.
Why relying only on third-party AI creates risk.
How to keep human connections inside AI workflows.
What research to complete before launching a store.
Why standard SEO no longer delivers quick traffic.
How to transition tasks to a hybrid AI setup.
What running a business while traveling really takes.

Links & Resources 
Website: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clauslauter/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/clauslauter
Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/35t6wudt
______________________________________________________ 
Our Sponsors 
Xero is cloud-based accounting software that helps small businesses, including ecommerce sellers and DTC brands - manage invoicing, cash flow, bank reconciliation, and reporting from one place, on any device. Get 90% off for 6 months. Learn more at https://referrals.xero.com/ecb - T&Cs apply.
Bizrate Insights: Star ratings tell you how customers feel. Bizrate Insights reveals what’s driving those ratings, helping ecommerce brands create smoother shopping journeys, inspire confident purchases, and build lasting loyalty. Turn verified shopper feedback into clear priorities and better customer experiences. Learn more at bizrateinsights.com/coffee 
______________________________________________________
LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS!
Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out!   
Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts   
Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/   
Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak   
Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/

In this episode, we dive into how first-party data and audience intelligence can fix rising ad costs.  

Tiago Costa, CEO of Clustie.ai, shares how using customer data helps ecommerce brands target high-intent buyers, lower acquisition costs, and boost ad performance without relying on broad targeting.  

He also reveals how smart audience segmentation, real-time data signals, and automated campaign workflows help DTC stores scale faster and increase return on ad spend. 

Topics discussed in this episode:  
How broad targeting burns through meta budgets. 
Why first party data fixes high ad costs. 
What automated AI campaigns do for growth. 
How audience intelligence lowers overall CPA. 
Why relying only on signals limits scaling. 
What drives free to paid conversions. 
How real time customer signals lift return. 
Why agency experience creates better AI tools. 
How simple app integration boosts ad results. 
What agency partner programs do for scale. 

Links & Resources 
Website: https://www.clustie.ai/
Shopify App Store: https://apps.shopify.com/clustie-ai-marketing-segments
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clustie-ai/
Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/mr2cmzvs
______________________________________________________ 
Our Sponsor
Bizrate Insights: Star ratings tell you how customers feel. Bizrate Insights reveals what’s driving those ratings, helping ecommerce brands create smoother shopping journeys, inspire confident purchases, and build lasting loyalty. Turn verified shopper feedback into clear priorities and better customer experiences. Learn more at bizrateinsights.com/coffee 

______________________________________________________
LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS!
Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out!   
Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts   
Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/   
Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak   
Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/

In this episode, we dive into why website analytics and star ratings fail to show the full customer journey.  

Cheryl Zajac, VP of Client Insights at Bizrate Insights, shares how collecting pre-purchase and post-delivery feedback helps brands fix friction points and boost conversions.  

She also reveals how to capture non-buyer insights, use targeted survey triggers, and balance AI data with human understanding to drive true growth. 

Topics discussed in this episode:  
How star ratings hide critical checkout friction.
What 98 percent of non-buying traffic reveals.
Why pre-purchase surveys capture lost revenue.
How targeted triggers improve response rates.
What custom questions uncover about intent.
Why small sample sizes deliver actionable insights.
How post-delivery data boosts buyer retention.
What drives shoppers to competitor websites.
Why human empathy beats AI data analysis.
How real customer feedback fixes site drop-offs.

Star ratings tell you how customers feel. Bizrate Insights reveals what’s driving those ratings, helping ecommerce brands create smoother shopping journeys, inspire confident purchases, and build lasting loyalty. Turn verified shopper feedback into clear priorities and better customer experiences. Learn more at bizrateinsights.com/coffee 

Links & Resources
Website: https://bizrateinsights.com/coffee/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bizrateinsights/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/bizrateinsights
Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/yuhp9nv6

______________________________________________________
LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS!
Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out!   
Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts   
Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/   
Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak   
Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/

In this episode, we dive into how businesses use text messaging to drive revenue.
Amanda McGuckin Hager, CMO and CRO of TrueDialog, shares how her platform helps brands connect marketing, sales, fulfillment, and support into one seamless text conversation with every customer.
She reveals why opt-in compliance is the foundation of a valuable first-party list, how RCS is transforming texting into a branded, interactive experience, and how the right onboarding and integrations can get businesses sending compliant messages in days.

Topics discussed in this episode:  
Why text messaging outperforms email and phone outreach. 
What goes wrong when departments use disconnected channels. 
How opt-in and compliance build valuable first-party data. 
What RCS is and why it's growing fast in the US. 
How brands use RCS cards, maps, and video in texts. 
Why a verified sender builds instant brand trust. 
What legal steps businesses need before texting customers. 
How message frequency affects customer retention. 

Links & Resources
Website: https://www.truedialog.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/truedialog/
Get access to more free resources by visiting the show notes at https://tinyurl.com/nhe9sypp
______________________________________________________
LOVE THE SHOW? HERE ARE THE NEXT STEPS!
Follow the podcast to get every bonus episode. Tap follow now and don’t miss out!   
Rate & Review: Help others discover the show by rating the show on Apple Podcasts at https://tinyurl.com/ecb-apple-podcasts   
Join our Free Newsletter: https://newsletter.ecommercecoffeebreak.com/   
Support The Show On Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/EcommerceCoffeeBreak   
Partner with us: https://ecommercecoffeebreak.com/partner-with-us/